Crowds gather in Southampton to protest against racism following death of George Floyd

Around 500 people arrived at Southampton Guildhall Square yesterday with banners and boards speaking out against racism and police brutality.

Although protesters were asked by organisers to arrive in gloves and face masks, there was no social distancing as the crowd grew.

• READ: MP says rioters 'have it coming' in US protests >>>

"I know that we have coronavirus going on, but look around,” said one protester as he gestured to the crowd.

“This goes right back to the 1970s when people were protesting even back then.

“We have a shared outrage, and it’s not just about America, the UK is not innocent. People are angry, we want to be heard.”

Organised by BLM Southampton, the event was described as a “strictly peaceful protest”.

As well as speaking of George Floyd, pictured below, protesters spoke of Belly Mujinga, a British woman working at the London Victoria Railway Station, who died of coronavirus.

It was alleged this was caused when she was coughed and spat upon, although police later confirmed the suspect did not have the virus and closed the case.

They also mentioned dozens of other people who had been killed by police.

At around 6.30pm, protesters took a knee and chanted: “George Floyd, I can’t breathe.”

Councillor Satvir Kaur, pictured below, said: “Southampton has a rich and long history of diversity, tolerance and unity.

“It is why our civic buildings are lit purple this week show solidarity against racism and injustice.

“Racism still exists in every corner of our world – let’s make sure George Floyd acts as a catalyst for change, and let’s all be part of that change.”

Mr Floyd was an unarmed black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes on May 25.

In video footage of the scene, since viewed around the world, Mr Floyd was heard repeatedly calling out “I can’t breathe”.

Last night, all four officers who were present at his death were handed news charges.

The charge against the officer who knelt on his neck, has been elevated to second-degree murder.

The other three officers, previously uncharged, face counts of aiding and abetting murder.

The incident has sparked protests and riots across America.